Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-17
A POOR MANS WIFE.

They were happy and hopeful
bridal couple. This life upon which
they had entered was like new and
UNEMPLOYED country. but Clarence meant
to work hard and felt little or no doubt
in regard TO their future. He had been
head bookkeeper for a number of wears
and had the promise of something bet
ter yet the coming season.
They rented house in the pleasant
part of the city, Kept servant, and
Stella wore the handsome clothes which
had been provided at the time of her
marriage. But toward the end of the
first year of their welded life his firm
was said TO be under heavy liabilities
and the anniversary of their marriage
found the house bankrupt and Clarence
out of a situation.
Il shall find something by and by, !"
the husband said bravely.
1t was at this trying time that little
speck of humanity was put into Stella's
arms. and its feeble cry told that the
responsibility of motherhood was hers
Il am the happiest man alive.
Clarence exclaimed. oaressing wife and
baby boy. Let pride 90 to the dogs,
Stella" he added, remembering that
now his responsibility was greater than
before. "They are in want of workmen
on the new city-hall I'll take my ham.
merit will give us bread"
lie went out in the early morning
and came home late at night, his hand
some face glowing with love- But the
very thought that her husband was
brought down TO the level of a com.
mon laborer hurt her. The little priva.
tions she endured worried her, and in
little while the sweettempered woman
became moody and down-hearted
How can you expect mo TO live
among such surroundings" was her
appeal when he begged her to cheer
up. at is cruel in you. want to 60
home to my own friends"
The warm glow came to his face and
he drew her tenderly toward him with
out a word, but there was look pite-
GUS to see in his handsome eyes. Then
came a day little later when it did
seem that matters had come to a crisis
The city-hall was finished and Clarence
must look for something new. They
had moved about a great deal, hoping
W 1uu DiNCO III nHlCH bAlG llttlul
girl-wife would be contepted.
These people are Ill alike, you
know, and | may rs well be in one
place as another" was her reply to
Clarence when he suggested that they
move.
II have heard of something new this
morning, Stella. and I'm going to New
York on the next tram
You are always hearing Of some
thing new, was her quick reply; ''bui
what does it amount tor
IL am hoping for something better,
and think | have found it now. Are
you going to kiss me good-by, Stella?"
he asked. Il may be gone a day OF
two"
Nor she replied coldly; you'll be
back soon enough"
But might never return, you
know"
See if you are not back again in .
day or two with the same old story"
Clarence turned quickly and left her.
She heard him cross the room, and
knew he bent over Freddy's crib. and
kissed the little sleeper again and
again.
He'll come back before he's really
gone," whispered she going toward the
door; but turn in the street hid him
from sight He had gone without bid.
ding her good-by.
''Well, we've been married long
enough TO be done with snch nonsense,
she said by way of consolation. yet
there was terrible pain in her heart.
She sat still till Freddy awoke, then
with cry of anguish she ran across the
hall to the nearest neighbour
please come, Mrs Wilson; my baby
is dying"
Mrs. Wilson came, for, though rough
in manner. she was kind in heart.
HE is in a fit she said the moment
she saw the child. Hold him so till
run home and get some medicine. Such
women amt it to be mothers"
The hour for Clareuce's arrival had
passed, but only romorse came. At
last the strain became TOO great and
the wife's chastencd and softened
nature succumbed. and good Mrs. VII.
son had two patients. When Clarence
came he found his wife rehearsng il
penitent tones the welcome she hac
prepared for him.
When at last Stella avoke from the
horrible dreams her husband was bend.
ing over her.
clarence" she said. very softly al
first; Clarence" she repeated, putting
her arms about his neck, ''lf you'll
forgive me Ill kiss you, o. so many
times."
Foolish fellow! He cried like 4 baby.
Listen, S;ella.n he said. as soon as
he could command his voice; "listen
l did get the situation and you can
have everything you want, and you
are going TO have such a pretty house
in Brooklyn"
"All | want is your love-" claspine
MIN closely, "and that Freddy getl
well. | am ready to be n poor mans
xvife -